IBNB Permitted Monitors

Step 1: Review Key Reference Materials

• Read the Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for Imperiled Beach-nesting Birds (IBNB Guidelines). Sections most important for IBNB Permitted Monitors
  include:
  • Pages 4, 18-20, 24-26, 33-37, 46,
  • Pages 60-64: Appendix B, Standard Options for Minimization and Mitigation Measures for Active and Recent Breeding Sites by Activity, and
  • Pages 65-69: Appendix C, IBNB Permitted Monitors
• Read the Breeding Activity Check Bird Monitoring Protocol.
• Read the Guidelines for Posting Shorebird and Seabird Sites in Florida.
• Read the Behavioral Survey Bird Monitoring Protocol. (Needed only for Incidental Take Permits for Special Events with Loud Noise (e.g. fireworks displays, concerts, sporting events).
• Review “Quick Tutorials” training videos on how to enter data into the Florida Shorebird Database.

Step 2: Take the Online Training

• The online training is available on FWC’s eLearning website.
  • Module 1: Qualifications, Species ID, Nesting Behavior and Habitats.
  • Module 2: Breeding Activity Checks, Monitoring and Reporting Requirements.
  • Module 3: Active Breeding Sites: Posting and Protection.
• Save your certificate. You’ll need it as part of your online permit application.

Step 3: Review Appendix D and IBNB Minimization Measures for Vehicle Operations Training

• Vehicle operation requirements for IBNB Permitted Monitors, Incidental Take Permittees, and vehicle operators conducting work under an FWC Incidental Take Permit are covered in
  Appendix D of the IBNB Guidelines and this required training:
  • Review IBNB Minimization Measures for Vehicle Operations Training.

Step 4: Gain the Required Skills Through Survey Experience

• Conduct at least 3 surveys that involve observations of Active Nests of Imperiled Beach-nesting Birds (IBNBs).
• As a part of your application, you will need to attest that you are able to:
  • Identify all species of beach-nesting birds that breed in Florida by sight and sound
    within the region(s) in which you will operate,
  • Identify breeding/territorial behaviors, and find nests of shorebirds and colonies of seabirds, and
  • Identify habitats preferred by IBNBs for breeding.
• Please note: Conducting only 3 surveys is not guaranteed to gain you the above skills. To gain the skills required to become an IBNB Permitted Monitor, FWC recommends the
  following:
  • Participate in more than 3 surveys. Survey experience across a full nesting season with an experienced mentor will allow you to observe multiple stages in the
    breeding cycle from nest initiation to chick fledging.
  • Survey experience should include monitoring of all IBNBs that occur in the region(s) where you will work.
  • Survey experience should include monitoring of both colonial and solitary beachnesting birds.
  • Monitoring experience with additional beach-nesting species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, such as the Wilson’s plover, is also recommended.
  • Surveys conducted across multiple survey routes will increase the diversity of habitats and species observed.

Step 5: Read the Code of Conduct

• Read the Code of Conduct.
• You must agree to follow the IBNB Permitted Monitor Code of Conduct as a part of your online application. Failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct is grounds for revocation of an IBNB Permitted Monitor’s permit.

Step 6: Gather All Materials Prior to Applying for Your Permit.

• Gather all the other information you need prior to applying for your permit online. This includes:
  • Online Training Certificate.
  • Information on your survey experience.

Step 7: Complete the Application Form and Submit your Application

• Complete the online application.
• Don’t forget to upload your Online Training Certificate.
• You may also upload a second document describing any additional IBNB monitoring experience. This is optional.
• As part of this application, you will attest that you:
  • Have conducted at least three surveys involving observation of active nests of IBNBs.
  • Can identify all species of beach-nesting birds that breed in Florida by sight and sound within the region(s) in which you will operate and conduct surveys.
  • Can identify breeding/territorial behaviors and find nests of IBNBs.
  • Can identify habitat preferred by IBNBs for breeding.
  • Have read and are familiar with beach driving best practices outlines in Appendix D of the IBNB Guidelines.
  • Are willing and able to post Active Breeding Sites with Regulatory Boundary Signs and in a manner consistent with the Methods and Materials sections of the FSA Guidelines for Posting Shorebird and Seabird Sites in Florida and consistent with Module 3 of the online IBNB Permitted Monitor Training.
  • Agree to follow and adhere to the IBNB Permitted Monitor Code of Conduct.
• You will receive a confirmation email from an FWC no reply email address. It may take up to 90 days for your permit to be processed.

Step 8: Receive FWC’s Final Decision

• You will receive an e-mail once your permit application has been processed.
• Your permit is valid for two years from the date it is issued.
• If you are issued a permit, you will be added to the list of IBNB Permitted Monitors posted on the IBNB Permitted Monitor website (a list available to contractors hiring IBNB Permitted Monitors).

Step 9: Re-apply for Your Permit

• The IBNB Permitted Monitor permit is valid for 2 years. You must re-apply to obtain a new permit.
• When re-applying, follow steps 1-8 listed above. You may upload your previous IBNB Permitted Monitor permit as a supplement to your application.

IBNB Permitted Monitors must meet the following minimum qualification:

1. The IBNB Permitted Monitor must obtain a permit from the FWC. Permits for IBNB Permitted Monitors are valid for 2 years.
2. The IBNB Permitted Monitor permit application must include the applicant’s previous training and experience surveying breeding beach-nesting birds in Florida. 
   1. Applicants must demonstrate that they have conducted at least three surveys that involved observation of Active Nests of IBNBs.
   2. Applicants also must attest that they are able to:
      1. identify all species of beach-nesting birds that breed in Florida by sight and sound within the region(s) in which the agent will operate (see Species Action Plan for IBNB regions),
      2. identify breeding/territorial behaviors, and find nests of shorebirds and colonies of seabirds,
      3. identify habitats preferred by IBNBs for breeding.
   3. Applicants must attest to being familiar with beach driving best practices outlined in Appendix D of the IBNB Guidelines.
   4. Applicants must attest that they are willing and able to post Active Breeding Sites with Regulatory Boundary Signs and in a manner consistent with the Methods and Materials sections of the Florida Shorebird Alliance Guidelines for Posting Shorebird and Seabird Sites in Florida.
3. The applicant must agree to follow and must adhere to the IBNB Permitted Monitor Code of Conduct. Failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct is grounds for revocation of the IBNB Permitted Monitor’s permit.
4. The applicant must possess a Certificate of Completion for IBNB Permitted Monitor Training. 

IBNB Permitted Monitors have many roles and responsibilities depending on the permitted activity type. Some examples include but are not limited to, conducting Breeding Activity Checks, establishing disturbance-free buffer zones, and conducting education/identification programs with project staff. IBNB Permitted Monitors must read, understand and abide by the applicable conditions in the FWC Incidental Take Permit associated with project activities for which they are providing services. Please refer to the IBNB Guidelines for specific roles and responsibilities associated with different project types.

Permits are valid for 2 years. The permit expiration date will be listed on the permit.

Beginning October 2024, IBNB Permitted Monitors will be required for project activities authorized through an FWC Incidental Take Permit.